InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The 2 Great Swords ❯ Answers ( Chapter 21 )

The group followed Kaede into a room that had been used for diplomatic conversations between the village and the kingdoms. Because of the village's power, the kingdoms would want to make sure that they either had equal power through the village's neutrality.

 

It took some effort, but Kaede was able to persuade her guards to leave them in the room so that everything they'd talk about would be secret. “So, what do ye wish to discuss?” She asked when everyone got comfortable.

 

“Well first off what was happening on the other side of the tunnel?” Sango asked.

 

“We had some problems that resulted in our guard being weak there.” She said. “With this, we lost that point in our defense to the demon ye undoubtedly encountered.”

 

“What happened to make your guard so weak?” Miroku asked. “I find it hard to believe that such an important point would be weakened for any minor reason.”

 

“I am afraid I cannot say.” She said sighing. “What happened is to remain completely secret to all those but whom reside in this village.”

 

“Keh! Secret my ass!” Inuyasha said. “I've got a pretty good idea what the problem was.”

 

“Now I don't think there is any way for ye ...” She began.

 

“Muramasa.” She stopped dead in her sentence. He smirked at her reaction.

 

“How do ye know of the evil sword?” she asked in a quiet voice.

 

“Actually that's the reason we're here.” Kagome said. “We've fought with it already. We're here to find a way to beat it.”

 

Kaede shook her head. “Why would ye put yeselves in such danger?” She asked. “Surely nothing is important enough to go against the sword of evil?”

 

“We have our reasons, Lady Kaede.” Miroku said. “It would take precious time to explain it but suffice to say that the sword came into a certain demon's possession. This demon's name is Naraku.”

 

“Naraku?” Kaede echoed. “I have never heard such a name.”

 

“Well he is responsible for the fall of the north kingdom and the strife in the east among other things...” Sango said trailing off.

 

“So, is he the one who has caused the war?” Kaede asked. The group nodded.

 

“By the way how is the war going?” Miroku asked.

 

“Badly, I suppose. The south's lines are getting pushed back daily as the east moves. Although it is strange. At first the south was holding fast, but suddenly they started to collapse and the East has been slowly moving in.”

“Guess that means the wolf's there then.” Inuyasha said with a snarl.

 

“Wolf?”

 

“The prince of the east has Muramasa in his possession.” Miroku said. “Inuyasha's right, the only thing that could cause such a drastic change.”

 

“I see… this bodes most foul. No one in the world is capable of mastering that sword.” She shook her head sadly.

 

“Who cares about that?” Inuyasha said. “All I care about is how to beat it.”

 

“I suppose ye all will not falter from this path?” They all shook their heads and she sighed. “There is one but one way. You will have to find the other sword.”

 

“You mean the one of light?” Kagome asked and Kaede nodded.

 

“However I know not where it lies now.” She said.

 

“What do you mean you don't know?” Inuyasha growled. “The whole point of coming to this place was to find out where the damn thing is and you don't know where it is?!” His temper steadily going.

 

“Calm yeself Inuyasha” Kaede barked. “I can find it for you however it will take some time. First I think I should tell ye the story of what happened to the swords.”

“After the death of the first wielders, the swords were brought to our village. The one of light was too pure for anyone to wield and the one of dark was too evil. As such the burden was given to our village to shoulder.”

 

“The one of light with no fit wielders was carted off to a place where it was said no one could ever discover it. Any record of it was immediately purged from existence through memory altering techniques.”

 

“The one of dark however wished to be wielded. It constantly sent out an aura of power so that one with a wicked and power-hungry heart would find it. Therefore, this village was to guard it by diminishing the aura. However, as you probably have already figured out it was stolen.”

 

“Anyways, with that said I wish for ye to control your outbursts, Inuyasha!” She snapped.

 

“Fine, whatever. Just hurry it up.” He grumbled.

 

“Now is there anything else ye wish to ask?” She asked eying the rest of the party, her gaze coming to rest on Kagome. “Perhaps about the princess ye are with?” Kagome started at “princess”

 

“How do you know that?” She asked flustered.

 

“You probably don't remember but you've been here before Lady Kagome.” Kaede said smiling. “It is customary for all royal children to come here at a certain time after birth. Ye don't look much different and ye have power as I sensed in you long ago.”

 

“That is another reason for our coming here actually.” Sango said. “We had hoped she could be taught to control her powers.”

 

“Well then, I may be able to do that in the time that it takes to find the sword of light. But it will be tough…Are ye ready for such a challenge Kagome?” She asked staring at her.

 

“Uh…I uh… I'm not… Um…” She said choking on her words.

 

“She's fine.” Inuyasha cut in saving her from herself. “She can take whatever you dish out hag.”

 

Kagome looked at him surprised. `Where'd that come from? I thought he thinks I'm a burden?' She thought.

 

“Good then, I expect to see you bright and early tomorrow morning outside this building ready for instruction.” Kaede said, her tone taking on more of an army officer's tone. “Inuyasha, before that I would speak with ye.”

 

The rest of the group left the room leaving Inuyasha and Kaede behind. “Shoot!” Kagome exclaimed. The rest of the group turned to look at her. “Sorry, I forgot my hairpin back there. I'll be back.” She turned and ran back to the room.

 

As she got close to it she heard voices. Her conscious told her not to listen but for some reason she couldn't help herself. “How much longer do ye intend to keep this from the, Inuyasha?”

 

“Shut up. That's none of your business. Just don't say anything about it, got it?” He snarled at her, a certain anger Kagome had never heard before in his tone.

 

“Fine, fine. But ye'd best remember that secrets have a way of getting out in ways ye'd rather they not.” There was a sound of walking and the door on the opposite side of the room closing.

 

“Keh! Why should I give a…” He trailed off for a second. “Stupid girl, she's gonna lose things like this.” In another couple of seconds he opened the door and turned right into her.

 

“Sorry!” Kagome said quickly. “I just forgot my…” Inuyasha's hand shot out and he placed her hairpin back in her hand.

 

“You really should keep better track of your junk. Come on it's almost time to eat.” He said gruffly and took off down the hallway.

 

Kagome followed while his words rang through her head. `What was he talking about? What's he keeping from us?' She shook off her thoughts. `I'll ask him tomorrow!' She resolved as she followed him.